Bottle-closure.



Nb. 896,804. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908.

J. M. GUMMING.

BOTTLE CLOSURE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.3,1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v v 1; VIA g; l /6 WITNESSES lNVENTORZ ATTORNEYS PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908.

M. GUMMING. BOTTLE GLOSURE. APPLIGATIONTILED DECK-3,1907.

BEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTORZ ATTORNEYS JAMES M. OUMMING, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

BOTTLE-CLOSURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

Application filed December 3, 1907. Serial No. 404,944.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. CUMMING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle-Closures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention has reference, generally, to improvements in stoppers for bottle s; and, this invention relates, more particularly, to a novel device in the form of a stopper for bottles which is provided with a locking mechanism actuated by means of a key, and which is brought in holding or locked engagement with a portion of the bottle, when the stopper is inserted in the mouth thereof, so that the stopper cannot be withdrawn from the mouth of the bottle except by a person properly provided with a key for the manipulation and release of the locking mechanism.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a neatly and simply constructed self-locking stopper, which is easily manipulated and is to be inserted in the ordinary manner in the mouth of a bottle but, when once inserted is immediately securedin a nonremovable position, to prevent tampering with the contents of the bottle or to avoid accidents by mistaking the poisonous contents of a bottle for the nonpoisonous contents of another bottle.

The main purpose of the invention, there fore, is to provide a positive safe-guard against removal of the stopper from the mouth of the bottle except by person intrusted with the key for actuating the locking1nechanism with which the stopper is provided.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the following detail description of the same.

The invention, consists, primarily, in the novel stopper, and locking-mechanism combined therewith, hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the various novel arrangements and combinations of the. devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claims which are appended to and constitute an essential part of my present invention.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional representation of the neck and mouthportion of a bottle, and an elevation of a stopper embodying the principles of the present invention, said view. showing the locked relation of the stopper with the interior surface-portions of the neck of the bottle. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the stopper with the envelop or covering of cork omitted from said views, said view representing the stopper-body looking at it in a plane at right-angles from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional representation of the bottle-stopper and its parts, said view being made on an enlarged scale, and showing the lockinganechanism with which the stopper is provided in its locked or holding engagement with an inner annular recess or other receiving depression within the neck of the bottle. Fig. 4 is a section, similar to that shown in Fig. 3, but showing the locking mechanism in its un locked or disengaged relation with the said annular recess, when actuated by means of a key, for the removal of the stopper from the mouth of the bottle. Fig. 5 is asectional representation taken on line 55 in said Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow at; and Fig. 6 is a similar section taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 4, certain portions of the locking mechanism in both of said views being represented in elevation. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7*7 in said Fig.5; Fig. 8 is a similar section taken on line 8-8 in the same figure; and Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9-9 in said Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the above described views, to indicate the corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference-character 1 indicates the neck-portion of any suitable bottle with which my novel form of combined stopper and locking mechanism is to be used.

The stopper which is illustrated in the several figures of the drawings, and which embodies the principles of my invention, comprises a suitably shaped hollow or chambered in which there is a screw-threaded socket 9 and the other downwardly extending member 6 being provided with a screw-threaded hole 10 and the parts being secured together by means of a suitable screw 11. In like manner, the upper portion of the half-section or member 3 is provided with a retaining lug 12 formed with a screw-threaded hole 13, and registering with a correspondingly dis osed screw-threaded hole 14 in the other ha f-section or member 4, and the parts being permanently secured together by means of a screw 15. It will thus be seen that I have produced in this manner, a hollow or cham ered stopper which is provided with a closed top and bottom, the same being preferably made of metal or other suitable hard material. The cone-shaped element formed by the two portions or members 6 and the bot tom of the stopper-body are provided with a suitable covering, envelo or shell 16, of cork, rubber or other suita le resilient material adapted to be brought in contact with the inner surface of the neck and mouth of the bottle, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Extending diametrically across the inner hollow space formed by the contracted portions 17 and the spherical portions 18 of the two members orportions 3 and 4 are suitable webs or ribs 19, each web or rib being formed with a channel or groove 20 in the abutting edge-portion of the said webs or ribs, said registering channels or grooves forming a vertical guide, substantially as shown and for the purposes to be presently more fully described. Extending laterally across the upper chambered portion of one of the said members, as 4, is a tubular element 21, having its one end-portion, as 22, extending through the side of the spherically-shaped part 18 of the member 4, and being provided with a longitudinally extending slot 23, and one or more laterally extending slots 24. The spherically shaped portion 18 of the member 4 may also be provided with a slotted portion 25, corresponding to the longitudinally extending slot or opening 23, all of said parts being arranged and constructed for the reception of a key 26 formed with one or more suitably constructed tongues 27, one of which is provided with a member 28, and which operates in the manner substantially as will be understood from an inspection of the several figures of the drawings.

Arranged in a reciprocatory manner in the guide 20 is a plunger-rod or bar 29, said rod or bar being formed upon its upper end with an angularly extending finger or lift 30 which projects over and normally rests upon the lower portion of rod or bar 29, between V the upper surface-portion of the head 31, and the lower edge-portions of the webs or ribs 19, being employed for retaining and returning the said plunger-rod or bar in its normally lowered position when the key has been withdrawn from the stopper-body.

Pivotally and loosely arranged upon suitable pins 33 extending across suitably formed receiving depressions, as 34, in the contracted portions 17 of the'stopper-body are the perforated ends of suitably constructed locking and holding arms or bolts 35, each arm or bolt being provided upon its lower end-portion witha suitably vformed extension or projection 36, and a suitably formed looking or holding finger 37, substantially as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Each locking or holding finger or projection 37 extends into and is movably arranged in suitably formed openings 38 in the member or portions 6 of the stopper-body, and corresponding openings 39 in the shell, envelop, or casing 16, the spring, under normal conditions, engaging with the projections or studs 36 of the arms or bolts 35, and by forcing the said arms or bolts in opposite outward directions bringing the free ends of the said holding or locking fingers 27 in locked and holding engagement with an annular groove or other suitable depression 40 formed in the interior surface of the neck of the bottle. All of this is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and it will be evident from an inspectionof the said figure, that when the spring has lowered the said plungerrod or bar and its head, the locking fingers have thus been made to enter the depression or annular groove 40', so that the said stopper is positively held and locked within the neck of the bottle, and the contents of the bottle cannot be tampered with, or removed there from except by the person in possession of the. key.

When the plunger-rod or bar is raised by means of the key to the position indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the plunger-head is withdrawn from its active engagement with the projections or studs 36 and, the locking arms or bolts 35 being loosely pivoted upon the pins 33, will then automatically swing to the positions indicated in said Fig. 4 of the drawings, whereby the free ends of the locking fingers become withdrawn from their holding or retaining engagement with the re ceiving depression or annular groove 40, so that the stopper can now be easily withdrawn from the mouth of the neck of the bottle.

From the foregoing description of my present invention it will be clearly seen that I have devised a simply constructed stopper and locking mechanism for use with bottles in the usual manner, but which can be withdrawn only by a person carrying the right key, so as to avoid the stealing of or tamper ing with the contents of the bottle; or, when used with bottles containing poisonous matter, minimizing the danger of making mistakes, which would otherwise result in serious consequences.

I am aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of this invention as described in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the claims which are appended thereto. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as set forth in the said foregoing description, nor do I confine -myself to the exact details of the construction of any of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of the device.

I claim:

1. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, swinging locking-arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means arranged between said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, swinging locking-arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and a spring-actuated plunger-rod provided with a plunger-head adapted to engage with said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, swinging looking-arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower endportion with an inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means arranged between said bolts and adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. I

4. A bottle closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, swinging locking-arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower end. portion with an. inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and a spring-actuated plungerrod provided at its lower end with a plungerhead. adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body, said body being provided in its opposite sides with openings, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means movably arranged in said guide and extending beneath said guide between the bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopperbody, said body being provided in its opposite sides with openings, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, a spring-actuated plunger-rod movably arranged in said guide having a portion extending beneath the said guide and between said bolts, and a plun erhead on said portion adapted to engage with said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means fo securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopperbody, said body being provided in its opposite sides with openings, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abu tting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower end-portion with an inwardly projecting stud'and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means arranged between said bolts and adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arm or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8; A bottleclosure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body, said body being provided in its opposite sides with openings, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinginglocking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower end-portion with an inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, a spring-actuated plunger-rod movably arranged in said guide and having a portion extending beneath the said guide and between said bolts, and a plunger-head on said portion adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receiving slots, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means arranged between said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, said means being adapted to be raised by means of a key inserted in said tubular member for releasing said bolts from holding engagement with the inneropposite faces of the neck of the bottle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its oppositesides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with keytongue receiving slots, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and a spring-actuated plungerrod provided at its lower end-portion with a plunger-head adapted to engage with said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, and an angularly extending lift upon the upper end-portion of said rod with which the key-tongue can be brought in engagement, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receiving slots, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower endportion with an inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means arranged be tween said bolts and adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, said means being adapted to be raised by means of. a key in serted in said tubular member for releasing said bolts from holding engagement with the inner opposite faces of the neck of the bottle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. A bottle-closure comprising a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key into one of said openings, and a spring-actu- I atedplunger-rod provided at its ower endportion with a plunger-head adapted to be brought in engagement with said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, and an angularly extending lift upon the upper end-portion of said rod with which the key-tongue. can be brought in engagement, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receiving slots, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means movably arranged in said guide and extending beneath said guide between the bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, said means being adapted to be raised by means of a key inserted in said tubular member for releasing said bolts from holding engagement with the inner opposite faces of the neck of the bottle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth 14. A bottle-closui e comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, ,a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receivingslots, diametrically dis osed webs within said chambered body, sai webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and a spring-actuated plunger-rod movably arranged in said guide and having a portion extending beneath said guide and between said bolts, a plunger-head on said portion adapted to engage with said bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, and an angularly extending lift upon the upper end-portion of said rod with which the Key-tongue can be brought in engagement, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receiving slots, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower endportion with an inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and means movably arranged in said guide and extending beneath said guide between said studs for forcing the fingers of said arms or bolts outwardly in opposite directions, said means being adapted to be raised by means of a key inserted in said tubular member for releasing said bolts from holding engagement with the inner opposite faces of the neck of the bottle, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

16. A bottle-closure comprising a pair of body-sections and means for securing said sections together to provide a chambered stopper-body formed with openings in its opposite sides, a key-receiving tubular member extending across the interior of said body and being provided with key-tongue receiving slots, diametrically disposed webs within said chambered body, said webs being provided in their abutting edges with a groove forming a guide, swinging locking arms or bolts loosely pivoted within said body, each arm or bolt being provided at its lower endportion with an inwardly projecting stud and with a holding finger extending into one of said openings, and a spring-actuated plungerrod movably arranged in said guide and having a portion extending beneath said guide and between the studs of said arms or bolts for forcing their fingers outwardly in opposite directions, and an angularly extending lift upon the upper end-portion of said rod with which the key-tongue can be brought in engagement, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of November, 1907.

JAMES M. CUMMING.

Witnesses:

LILLIAN D. MoGRAw, MARIE KELLY. 

